UK venture capital firm Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), which specialises in deep tech and life sciences, has committed at least £100 million to invest in spinout companies from the University of Cambridge.
- CIC has been active for over 11 years and manages £600 million in assets. To date, it has invested £250 million in more than 40 companies, supported over 110 founders, and helped attract more than £3.1 billion in co-investment capital across the Cambridge innovation ecosystem.
- As part of this new investment drive, CIC is launching an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) programme in partnership with the university.
- The initiative pairs experienced entrepreneurs, many with successful exits in deep tech and life sciences, with university researchers to help turn high-potential ideas into businesses. Up to six entrepreneurs will take part at any one time, to accelerate the development of quality spinouts.
"This expansion of CIC’s long-standing partnership with the University of Cambridge, which provides unique access to the university’s academics and research, will help support the UK’s economic growth by developing the next generation of world-class companies," claims Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner at CIC.
- Startups created through the EIR programme will have access to funding from CIC’s newly launched £250 million early-stage venture fund, designed to support companies from their inception through proof-of-concept to early growth.
- The University of Cambridge has also introduced several new programmes to support spinouts and entrepreneurship. These include the Founders programme, which helps researchers launch companies; the Translational Investment Fund (TIF), which provides early funding to reduce risk in commercialising research; and a £30 million increase to the Cambridge Enterprise Ventures fund to boost university investment in spinouts.
“In 2024, the University of Cambridge created more spinout companies than any other university. We are determined to do even more, and faster, through initiatives such as the new EIR programme and by attracting investment into our spinout companies working with partners like Cambridge Innovation Capital," explains Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Cambridge.
